Israel prosecutors charge a settler over the killing of a Palestinian activist in the West Bank.
Yinon Levy, a leading figure in the Bar‑Zebulon outpost, faces a charge of reckless manslaughter after shooting Holos officer Odeh Hathaleen during a confrontation in 2025. The indictment also includes counts of armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
This is the first indictment of its kind in almost three years, B’Tselem reports, citing the case as a potential turning point in confronting settler violence.
Levy, who has been sanctioned by the UK and the U.S. for his violent actions, denies the allegations and claims the charges are a pre‑set offense. A lawyer for Hathaleen’s family said the prosecution could signal a new era of accountability.
Hathaleen, a teacher and father of three, played a key role in the Oscar‑winning documentary “No Other Land”, which documents the Israeli government's legal battle over the expulsion of Palestinian communities in 2022.
The incident occurred when Levy’s outpost crew used an excavator to clear land in Umm al‑Khair, sparking a violent clash. Footage of the sudden shooting spread rapidly online, fueling outrage across the region.
The indictment comes after a surge of settler attacks following the Gaza war, which has seen over a thousand Palestinian deaths in the West Bank, according to the UN.
B’Tselem’s statement highlights what it calls “impunity” as a core component of Israel’s policy, arguing that police leniency encourages continued persecution.
International observers note the case could exert new pressure on Israeli authorities to enforce stricter legal consequences for violent actions against Palestinians.
For the families involved, the case may represent justice turned from a distant promise to a tangible possibility.
Image caption: Odeh Hathaleen was shot in Umm Al‑Khair village in the occupied West Bank.
